So the Duchess Disappeared

34. Marital Relationship

The noise that reached his ears made him realize the urgency of the situation.

Clint was consumed by uncontrollable anger. He felt like he could kill the Crown Prince or the Rachel right before his eyes.

“…”

For a moment, he paused, his hand gripping the sword.

It was as if the function of his rationality throughout his body had been paralyzed.

In an instant, various thoughts passed through his mind.

Suddenly, Clint found himself unable to understand why he was so angry.

Was he not someone with exceptional self-control?

He had never lost control and acted like a beast for any reason.

Was it due to the anxiety about losing his child?

Was it just that?

Was it really because of that?

He kept asking himself but couldn’t find a clear answer. This was the first time he couldn’t understand himself.

Only later did Clint realize that there was something more, something that had pushed him to this extreme state.

‘Something… like I’ve lost something…’

It was probably because of the child.

Thinking of the child naturally led him to think of Psyche.

He left a deep impression of the sight of Psyche running away from him.

‘Why? Why is she running away?’

He couldn’t understand her behavior.

At the same time, he could feel the anger building up inside him.

Though he wasn’t necessarily the most affectionate husband, he took pride in giving her the best.

He promised a comfortable life, and he kept his word.

But why?

It was a marital relationship bound by a contract, and he didn’t expect much from Psyche.

When he first met her, all he wanted was for someone other than Rachel to become his wife. That was all.

The rumors had already spread that Rachel would become the next Duchess. In reality, that wasn’t what he wanted, but he had an engagement with Rachel.

Rachel was a woman known for her exceptional beauty among the aristocrats. She was famous for being outstanding even among noblewomen.

So, although he might not have chosen a marriage with her himself, he couldn’t find a woman who would willingly go against him to become his wife. Back then, the position of a Duchess didn’t have much appeal since the Duchy was not firmly established.

That’s why he took the risk of giving up his engagement with Rachel and pretending to be in love with another woman. Back then, the position of the Duchess wasn’t as attractive to society. So maybe Psyche, who didn’t know the atmosphere of capital at the time, was the perfect match for Clint.

She had the noble status but had never been involved in the royal court of capital, and more importantly, she didn’t seem to have any ambitions.

“Unsophisticated” would be a fitting description.

But that doesn’t mean he disliked women with ambitions. On the contrary, he found Psyche’s simple and naïve attitude towards the world quite appealing.

What was even more peculiar was that he had no problem connecting with Psyche, someone who had never been in touch with people. It felt as if his extreme social phobia had suddenly disappeared.

It was as if they were connected by fate.

However, he felt that it was not something to be grateful for, just a heavenly arrangement for himself.

Furthermore, as long as Psyche was the Duchess, he believed he had provided her with the best.

So he might have been even angrier.

The woman who bore his child ran away from him.

He couldn’t tolerate the fact.

“Why did she leave me? What didn’t I do for her?”

Instead of calming down in the face of an incomprehensible situation, his anger flared up like a volcano, showing no signs of subsiding.

The image of Psyche fleeing while avoiding his eyes suddenly came to mind, and he felt an indescribable emotion tightening his throat.

There was no reason for her to leave him.

With a child of their own…

Didn’t she say she abhorred killing people?

They had a conversation about that before marriage, right? That’s why he might not have explained his plans to kill Rachel.

Clint wasn’t the type to worry about such things, and he thought that if Psyche gave birth to a child healthily, everything would be perfect by handling Rachel secretly.

He believed they wouldn’t need to consult and reach an agreement on various things he was handling, or maybe he just discarded that need.

Psyche might be mistaken, thinking that Clint would kill her, and she might not dare ask if he would really kill her.

As a result, the misunderstanding between them left them in a deadlock.

Clint was stuck in place without properly facing his emotions.

Once again, he was furious.

He had never thought he had some emotion he couldn’t even acknowledge.

He didn’t know that some unknown residue could make him so angry.

So, he decided to organize this situation for now.

He paused for a very brief moment.

There was nothing but trouble in going deeper.

According to the plan…

He had a plan.

He blurted out his thoughts.

“As planned, it’s over.”

He had grown up like that since he was a child.

It was his father’s teachings.

Executing what you have planned, achieving what you aimed for, was the greatest virtue of a Duke.

His words startled the guards around him.

They all pointed their swords at each other. Both the Duke and the guards froze for a moment.

However, Clint decided not to think about it anymore.

Just as he had thought.

Kill Rachel here and bring Psyche back.

And after bringing her back…

What should he say to her?

He felt as if he had hit another dead end.

He decided to cut off the thoughts that confused him.

Clint exhaled slowly. When he appeared ready to move again, the knights surrounding the Duke had to be on high alert. They knew that a slight lapse would turn them into lifeless corpses under the Duke’s blade.

The knights gripped their swords tightly and focused on the Duke’s movements, prepared to react at a moment’s notice. Even the slightest hesitation could lead to a deadly outcome.

Clint suddenly changed his posture. Raising his sword, he spoke with a warning tone.

“It would be wise for everyone to step aside. I don’t plan to kill any of you.”

The knights, who had cast glances at the prince upon hearing Clint’s words, seemed eager to make way for him immediately.

“…”

“I have no intention of killing any of you, but if you don’t move, I’ll have no choice but to strike.”

It was a chilling final warning.

As soon as Clint finished speaking, he swiftly adjusted his sword.

He lightly jumped forward and effortlessly subdued the two knights standing closest to him. He didn’t even use his sword; he just struck their abdomen with the hilt of his sword.

As Clint attempted to move again, the guards surrounding him hesitated and couldn’t react.

Witnessing this chaotic situation, the prince cried out in frustration, “What are you doing? Can’t you handle this properly?”

He smacked a guard’s thigh who was standing next to him in irritation.

“…”

Without waiting for a response, Clint continued to deal with those surrounding him one by one.

Already overwhelmed with fear at the prospect of confronting the Duke, these were mere guards, not elite troops or royal guards. They stood no chance against Clint.

“Ugh… Aah!”

“…”

Like leaves falling from a tree, the knights gradually fell to the ground, losing their vitality.

In no time, there were only a few people left in front of him.

Clint approached the prince and Rachel, a wicked grin on his face. Clint, who was known for his elegance, now looked like someone captivated by madness. He appeared different from his usual self.

This was the first time they had seen him in such a state, and no one knew how to react.

“Stop this! What are you doing?”

“…”

Although the prince tried to intervene, it seemed as if Clint couldn’t hear his voice.

“Duke Valentine!”

The prince called him once again, loudly.

Only then did Clint’s lifeless eyes turn to him, emitting a chilling gaze.

It was as if his gaze asked why he was interrupting.

“I’m just doing my job. Your Highness, if you want to preserve your life, you’d better stop protecting Rachel.”

“What… What are you saying?”

Another step, and Clint came even closer.

“Would Your Highness like to die as well?”